Most people would like to be able to charge their cell phones and other personal electronics quickly and not too often. A recent discovery made by engineers could lead to carbon nanotube-based supercapacitors that could do just this.
Selected by plish
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ScienceDaily: Engineering News
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Defects in carbon nanotubes could lead to improved charge and energy storage systems
20 Nov 2009 | 5:00 am -
'Fingerprinting' RFID tags: Researchers develop anti-counterfeiting technology
19 Nov 2009 | 11:00 amEngineering researchers have developed a unique and robust method to prevent cloning of passive radio frequency identification tags. The technology, based on one or more unique physical attributes of individual tags rather than information stored on them, will prevent the production of counterfeit tags and thus greatly enhance both security and privacy for government agencies, businesses and consumers. -
Customizing electric cars for cost-effective urban commuting
18 Nov 2009 | 8:00 pmResearchers have launched a new community-based approach to electric vehicle design, conversion and operations. The new research project, ChargeCar, will explore how electric vehicles can be customized for an individual's commuting needs and how an electric vehicle's efficiency can be boosted and its battery life extended by using artificial intelligence to manage power. -
Small optical force can budge nanoscale objects
16 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pmWith a bit of leverage, researchers have used a very tiny beam of light with as little as 1 milliwatt of power to move a silicon structure up to 12 nanometers. That's enough to completely switch the optical properties of the structure from opaque to transparent. -
Smart solution: Researchers use smartphones to improve health of elderly diabetics in China
15 Nov 2009 | 11:00 pmScientists have designed smartphone technology, which includes interactive games and easy-to-use logging features, especially for elderly Chinese diabetics.
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Engineering Ethics Blog
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Air Accidents In Perspective
16 Nov 2009 | 4:13 amA good fraction of classic engineering-ethics cases are concerned with accidents involving air transport of some kind, with commercial airline traffic taking the lead in terms of fatalities involving members of the public (as opposed to astronauts, for example). For example, in the early 1970s, problems with a DC-10 cargo door latch led to one near-fatal accident, halfhearted attempts to remedy the problem, and then a serious crash in France on Mar. 3, 1974, that killed 346 people. This case is held up to generations of engineers as an example of how not to fix a mechanical flaw in a… -
To Patent or Not To Patent: Supreme Court to Judge
9 Nov 2009 | 4:39 amMost historians recognize the development of the legal framework of patents as an important, if not essential, part of the Industrial Revolution. The proper function of patents and patent law can perhaps be understood best by considering two extremes.For most of history, the world was at one extreme: no patents or patent law at all. If a clever inventor came up with a new way of doing something or building a useful device, he had to keep it secret in order to maintain the competitive advantage his invention provided for him. Because if the goldsmith or millwright next door found out how the… -
Toxic Drywall: All the Housing Market Needs
2 Nov 2009 | 4:22 amAs if Florida homeowners didn't have enough to worry about already since many of them are "under water" financially, a recent report I heard on National Public Radio revealed that many thousands of houses in Florida and at least six other states may have been built with toxic drywall imported from China. People living in these houses have reported many kinds of health problems, ranging from acute sinus infections to nosebleeds and insomnia. Besides the health hazards, anything made of copper in these houses tends to turn black and often fails. Think wiring, plumbing, and air conditioning… -
Effects of a News Media Fast
26 Oct 2009 | 4:00 amSince most news media nowadays are electronic in either their production, distribution, or delivery, and this blog is about engineering ethics, which relates to the right use of technology, including news media, I think the following personal reflection on a recent experience of mine falls within the greater ambit of what I'm trying to do here. Recently I had been feeling more than the usual amount of hassle and anxiety. Ever since I began teaching, fall semesters have always been more stressful than spring semesters, and for various reasons this one has been worse than usual. Of late I had… -
The Deep Corruption of State-Sponsored Gambling
19 Oct 2009 | 4:21 amLong-time readers of this blog (both of you) know that I am no friend of gambling. One way to express my stand succinctly is to place myself on a spectrum of opinion ranging from the pro-gambling extreme of no legal or moral restrictions at all, to the anti-gambling extreme of total prohibition root and branch, all the way down to the private Saturday-night poker game among friends. On a scale where 0 is total-pro and 100 is total-anti, I'm about 85. I see no reason to interfere with small-scale gambling among friends and acquaintances, but when gambling becomes a large-scale business from…
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ScienceAlert - Latest Stories
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Feature: Seclusion to inclusion
19 Nov 2009 | 9:16 amA new initiative is helping to reduce the practice of secluding psychiatric patients experiencing an extreme crisis. -
Mixing hinders cancer drugs
19 Nov 2009 | 12:00 amCombining anti-cancer drugs with alternative medicines makes them less useful and more dangerous, according to new studies. -
Deer DNA helps husbandry
19 Nov 2009 | 12:00 amResearchers are working to identify variants in deer DNA, and make it easy for farmers to identify them when breeding better animals. -
Wastewater algae turned to fuel
19 Nov 2009 | 12:00 amA recent New Zealand project is using it all – treating wastewater, converting the algae into fuel, and making the residue into fertiliser. -
Better surgery worth repeating
19 Nov 2009 | 12:00 amResearch has found that repeat surgery is now a viable option for brain cancer patients – before, it was more likely to harm than help.
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Yanko Design
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Are You Green Hanger Savvy
20 Nov 2009 | 4:17 amDon’t tell me you didn’t get a tad bit influenced by the movie 2012 or seek out the 2012 phenomena? With dark notions like this looming ahead, it really makes me want to do good stuff now, this instant. Stuff like recycling paper and using it in many different forms. One such is the HangSavvy Eco-friendly Recycled Waste Paper Hangers. Stable enough to hold up to 10 kgs of weight and with the same lifespan as the normal steel or plastic hangers. Good quality, reasonable pricing and efficient packaging makes it a winner! Designer: James Chu [ Buy it Here – Premium pack of 10 hangers… -
A Very Social Phone
20 Nov 2009 | 2:58 amIt was about time that someone came up with the concept of a phone that was dedicated to social networking. YD’s resident designer Shane Crozier is on top things and has his finger on the pulse. 31337 (Elite) Phone connects to Facebook and Twitter and hooks up to the contacts to fill up the address book. Usual suspects like camera, speakerphone, music, video and internet functionality have been removed for the sake of functional transparency and ease of use. This minimal phone is good for inbound and outbound calls! Details: All functions are controlled by the minimal 2 button, 2 dial… -
Hang On The Rim
20 Nov 2009 | 2:30 amAll it takes is a hook-shaped carving in a paint brush to quantify it as an ingenious idea. Something that I’m willing to endorse! I may not be a house-painter but I can foresee the situation of someone getting this itch to scratch his nose (or butt). If he were using the Hanging Brush, then naturally he would just hang it by the rim of the paint can and scratch …. Superb! Designers: Bang Jun Mo & You In Sik -
The New Clarity
20 Nov 2009 | 1:36 amThe Mac. He is back. He’s clear again. He is so clear this time, you’ll just want to get out the windex just to see if the glass is actually there. Two concepts. One is a phone, the other is a desktop computer. Made with the real intention of creating something straight out of a sci fi for the greater good of your eyeballs and future humanity. Mac is one of those fellows who, for two main reasons (amongst quite a few others,) continues to hit hard on the online publishing circuit with his amazing designs. ONE: because his designs are so innovative, they’re on the verge of… -
Put That Baby in the Trunk!
20 Nov 2009 | 1:32 amOK all you moms… OK all you dads…! Listen up! It’s time you knew about putting your baby in the trunk! The “Trunk Stroller,” that is. Made by design geniousness in Seoul, this stroller folds down to the space you’ve got left over! And when you need to put the baby in it, it comes back up in a jiffy! Now I’ve got a stroller to stroll my baby in, and when I need it back down, it fits in the trunk of my car with plenty of space left for holiday presents! This stroller is weird at first glance. It’s weird to take basically anything out of a trunk,…
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Curiously Persistent
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The inefficiencies of cutbacks
13 Nov 2009 | 7:22 amThe Observer have announced that they are streamlining their offering into 4 sections. In the process, they are ending 3 of their 4 monthly magazines (several of which, I believe, are award-winning). It is highly unlikely I will continue to buy it. As a non-subscriber, my switching costs are minimal. I may prefer the tone of its coverage to other titles, but value – at least perceived value – plays an important role in the purchase decision. The quality of the magazines (along with the relative ease I can do the crossword) were major draws to the title. Both versus its… -
Five predictions on the future of TV
3 Nov 2009 | 5:10 amScheduled broadcast television will always constitute the majority of viewing The majority of viewing will always be passive Simultaneous social media activity will remain niche – it will primarily be a substitute for when people aren’t physically in the room with you A form of modified Pareto principle will persist (maybe not 80% of viewing on 20% of channels, but 60% of viewing on 5% of channels is believable) Watching TV on a “computer” will peak in a few years – it will be doubly squeezed by web enabled “television” and “mobile”… -
Remove the zombies from research
19 Oct 2009 | 4:40 am“Bringing research to life”. Ick. There are over 20,000 results in Google for this horrible, horrible cliche. And it’s completely meaningless. Was the research dead beforehand? Have a couple of verbatim quotes and vox pop videos literally brought sentience to the project? Coming at it from the opposite angle, the expression is quite Stalinistic – “One death is a tragedy, but a million deaths are a statistic” But mainly, it is just an excuse for poor communicators unable to make data or research interesting, relevant or memorable. So, please, no more playing… -
Selective reporting
1 Oct 2009 | 4:16 pmI like the IAB. They’re nice people, and do good work. I’m even a member. But… Internet overtakes TV to become UK’s biggest ad sector ? No. As I pointed out this time last year, their reporting is a bit disingenuous (click through to see a nice chart – a product of my ability to devote greater time to blogging). The headline finding this year is that online represents 23.5% of all UK spending, whereas TV represents 21.9% However: Online conflates search, classified, display and email Press display and classified (conveniently separated) combined account for 29.5%… -
A guide to corporate blogging (beta)
30 Sep 2009 | 4:06 amWe’ve recently set up our Essential Research blog. It’s started well, albeit a little slowly. Go check it out. The main reason for the slow start is that we are currently crazy busy. However, a second reason is that the majority of us have never blogged before. And as those who have their own blog know, it is a little scary to begin with. What do I write about? Who will read it? What if it is rubbish? I’m quite happy with how this blog has evolved. But the number of blogs I’ve had is in double figures (I think), and it has taken me 6 or 7 years to get into a position…
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Technology Review RSS Feeds
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Blog - Mathematician Solves Rowing Boat "Wiggle" Problem
19 Nov 2009 | 9:10 pmA mathematician has discovered two entirely new arrangements of rowers in a racing eight in which the rowing forces cancel to make the boat wiggle-free. -
Self-Policing Cloud Computing
19 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pmIBM security tool searches for and destroys malicious code in the cloud. -
Blog - How to Spur U.S. Renewable Energy
19 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pmIndustry experts weigh in at a conference in Washington, DC. -
A New Route to Cellulosic Biofuels
19 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pmZeaChem's pilot plant will make ethanol using termite microbes. -
Blog - The Emerging Field of Biophotonic Communication
19 Nov 2009 | 3:10 amThe growing evidence that cells communicate with photons is generating an exciting new field of research.
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Think Differently!!
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Redefining a "Business"
18 Nov 2009 | 5:51 amI was recently having a look at some of the ideas from the Heart Of Business website. One idea that caught my eye there is Mark Silver's definition of business as "the relationships you have around your livelihood."That is such an evocative definition. It immediately gets one thinking of the web of relationships surrounding business activity, the people involved, the dynamic ebb and flow of relationship and value.It puts the focus on relationships rather than outcomes or metrics or activities.The definition of business as the web of relationships one has around ones livelihood opens up a… -
Think Quick
29 Oct 2009 | 8:21 amMany people in the organisational development community in Melbourne, Australia will know Frank Connolly from his excellent work as coordinator for the Victorian Public Sector Continuous Improvement Network (VPS CIN) over the last several years.Frank has started a new initiative, and central to these efforts is his new Think Quick blog.Good luck Frank with your new initiative and helping people 'Think Quick'! -
Rethinking Economics
23 Oct 2009 | 6:56 pmAs someone who received his Ph.D from an Economics Department (but who in no way considers himself an economist!), I continue to watch with interest how the recent Global Financial Crisis is continuing to cause a rethink of the economics profession. A major focus of current interest was one of the subjects of my thesis: economists' excessive reliance on mathematics, regardless of the validity of the assumptions used by the mathematical models. Economists' assumptions for their mathematical modelling are typically things like "assume that people have infinite knowledge of the past, present,… -
Organisational Fairy Tales
13 Oct 2009 | 10:39 pmI was recently given a review copy of Andrew Rixon's new book, Opening Up: Creative Storytelling at Work. Andrew is an expert in applying complexity theory and storytelling within organisations to facilitate consensus and change.One of the intriguing contributions of this book is Andrew's idea of organisational fairy tales. By constructing a fairy tale around the issue or problem we wish to describe or address, we can liberate ourselves to talk about the issue in a different and more mythic way. The twist, however, comes when the facilitator asks the audience hearing a fairy tale constructed… -
Snorklers and Divers
13 Oct 2009 | 3:35 pmI was speaking with Experiential Marketing expert and consultant Justine Haddrick recently regarding the idea of scanners vs. deep divers. Justine mentioned that in their work responding to requests for information from clients, Justine and her team had developed a convention of asking whether someone requesting work was a snorkler - someone looking for an overview of options floating over them at a relatively high level - or a diver- someone wanting depth of insight and expertise regarding their very specific problem in the response. It's important to tailor our responses to the needs of the…
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IRIN
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GLOBAL: Children’s rights not yet a reality
DAKAR, 20 November 2009 (IRIN) - Children's rights advocates are taking 20 November, the 20th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), to highlight legal advances, but say when it comes to education, healthcare and protection in conflicts and natural disasters, children are often the first to be deprived of their rights. -
DRC-CONGO: New wave of refugees flees fresh fighting
BRAZZAVILLE, 20 November 2009 (IRIN) - Renewed clashes in northwestern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have led to a further wave of refugees, leaving corpse-littered villages in the affected area deserted, say humanitarian officials. -
BANGLADESH: Two years after Cyclone Sidr, survivors still seeking shelter
BARGUNA, 20 November 2009 (IRIN) - Two years after Cyclone Sidr hit the southern coastal districts of Bangladesh, many of the survivors are still homeless and at severe risk from further disasters, officials say. -
UGANDA: HIV-positive women need family planning services, study shows
NAIROBI, 20 November 2009 (IRIN) - HIV-positive women in western Uganda want fewer children than women not living with the virus, but often do not have access to family planning services, a new study reveals. -
GUINEA: Timeline since independence
DAKAR, 20 November 2009 (IRIN) - Guineans and the international community are watching mediation efforts of Blaise Compaoré, as international investigators begin to probe the 28 September deadly military attack on civilians in the capital Conakry. The latest violence stunned even a nation with a long history of military repression of civilians – an era Guineans had hoped would pass with the death of 24-year leader Lansana Conté and arrival of Moussa Dadis Camara in December 2008. Here is a timeline of some events since independence from France in 1958.
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NPR: Pop Culture
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Real-Life Physics Problems Star On TV
20 Nov 2009 | 10:00 amThe stars of The Big Bang Theory are two fictional Caltech physicists, but the physics problems they study are real. Bill Prady, the program's co-creator and executive producer, talks about including real-world science in the script, from dark matter to magnetic monopoles.» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us -
Palin Does Oprah, Oprah Calls It Quits ... For Now
20 Nov 2009 | 9:00 amFreelance journalist Jimi Izrael, civil rights attorney Arsalan Iftikhar, syndicated columnist Ruben Navarrette and NPR Political Editor Ken Rudin give their take on the latest headlines. This week, the guys discuss former GOP vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin's return to the national stage, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder's decision to try 9/11 co-conspirators in civilian court and Oprah's big announcement that "The Oprah Winfrey Show" will end In 2011.» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us -
Without Further Ado, Sarah Palin Returns
20 Nov 2009 | 8:11 amCultural and political phenomenon Sarah Palin returned to the national spotlight this week to promote her memoir "Going Rogue" and fielded questions about a possible run for the White House in 2012. Host Michel Martin talks with Mary Kate Cary, a columnist with U.S. News and World Report, and Matt Continetti, author of "The Persecution of Sarah Palin: How the Elite Media Tried to Bring Down a Rising Star" about what might be next for the former Alaska governor.» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us -
James Franco Checks In To 'General Hospital'
20 Nov 2009 | 8:00 amThe star of Milk and Pineapple Express — and a little movie franchise called Spider-Man — will be spending some time in Port Charles over the next couple of months. His guest-starring stint may help "freshen the image of daytime," says the soap opera's executive producer.» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us -
'The Onion': Mocking All Who Deserve It Since 1988
20 Nov 2009 | 4:00 amAmerica's Finest News Source has released a book celebrating its 21 years of satire (with a wink). Onion editors Joe Randazzo and Joe Garden talk with Renee Montagne about the serious business of being funny. Also: See the fun The Onion has had at NPR's expense.» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us
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Alternative Medicine Zone
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Bach Floral Remedy During Pregnancy
20 Nov 2009 | 4:45 amBach floral remedies use the essence of flowers to make the mind calm and stress free. This helps the body to regain its balance and also to start the process of healing. The essence of different flowers is used to treat different mental conditions like stress, anxiety, fatigue, impatience, jealousy, fear and other negative emotions. Bach floral remedies can be of tremendous use during pregnancies. These remedies do not have any toxins or chemicals and are safe to be used by an expectant mother. They come as a great help to relieve pregnancy related stress and calm the frayed nerves of the… -
Salt – Natural Cure For Depression
18 Nov 2009 | 4:30 amSalt could possibly be linked to curing depression. Recent studies have shown that salt triggers the mind to release a pleasurable response, thus relieving any depression that you are suffering. You are often told that too much sodium in the body is harmful; however, if you do not eat salt your body will crave it. Salt contains nutrients and minerals vital to the body’s functioning and keeps it healthy. When we eat salt, our brain lets us know that it is great because we feel delight and pleasure in it. This pleasure also shuts off any depression. In relation, the lessened consumption… -
The Benefits Of Geo Thermal Therapy
16 Nov 2009 | 4:30 amGeo Thermal Therapy is the practice of using both hot and cold stones for the purpose of massage. Geo means stone, thermal means temperature, and therapy means massage. When stones are heated and placed on the skin, they allow for blood stream to open. The heat can also lower blood pressure and reduce stress. Geo Thermal Therapy uses cooler stones as well. This can allow the blood to be pushed through the vascular system which is going to flush toxins from our system, and boost the immune system. If you have ever had an injury you have probably been told to apply heat and then cold to the… -
Homeopathy And The Law Of Healing
13 Nov 2009 | 4:44 amHomeopathy is a form of holistic healing. It believes not in treating symptoms but in treating the individual as a whole. Homeopathy aims to deal with the actual cause of a disease and not just the outward symptoms. Homeopathy believes in the natural law of healing. This states that healing occurs from inside to outside, from the important organs to less important organs and from the top to the bottom. Simply put, it means that unless the person is treated from the inside a disease or an ailment cannot be cured. Just because the outward symptoms of a disease have been cured it does not mean… -
Bio-Energy As A Viable Solution For The Most Dangerous Diseases
11 Nov 2009 | 4:41 amBio-Therapy is a safe and non invasive. It is also a highly effective form of energy medicine. Bio-Energy means the energy of life. Cells are surrounded and supported by this energy. It also acts like a miniature wire that is providing a blue print for the physical body. During a Bio-Energy Therapy session, necessary Bio-Energy is channeled through a person’s body, and the regeneration and healing process begins. Bio-Energy is a life sustaining force. It is present all around us, and inside of us. During a therapy session, a person would receive pure energy that contains all of the…
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Serene Ambition
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Low Energy and Burnout
19 Nov 2009 | 9:01 pmBy Jim Selman | Bio I think the most common complaints I hear from folks in corporations these days is that they are ‘just tired’, have ‘low energy’ or are ‘burned out’. Usually these declarations are accompanied by a compelling story that there is ‘too much work’ or that they are pressed to produce without having the resources they need. It seems people are working in a condition in which they are being constantly called on to produce more for less. The results: poor morale (at best), an environment of stress (at worst), breakdowns in people’s health, lower productivity,… -
Positive Aging Conference
17 Nov 2009 | 9:01 pmThe 3rd National Positive Aging Conference will be held December 7th to 9th at Eckerd College in St. Petersberg, Florida. The event focuses on life transitions, creativity, wellness and community. Keynote speaker Bill Thomas is founder of the Eden Alternative. Other speakers include Richard Leider, Meg Newhouse, Susan Perlstein and Peter Whitehouse. A pre-conference event sponsored by the Life Planning Network, including many sessions on life coaching, will run December 6th and 7th. Visit Eckerd College's website for more information and to register for the main conference. For more details… -
Aging through a Physician's Lens
16 Nov 2009 | 9:01 pmFor the past 20 years, Dr. Jeffrey Levine has photographed elders in his medical practice and across the U.S. His photos have been published in many medical journals and textbooks. This Thursday, he will be giving a lecture at the opening of his photography exhibition, Aging Through a Physician's Lens, in New York at the NY Academy of Medicine (1216 Fifth Avenue at 103rd Street). The exhibit will be open for viewing from 5 to 7 pm and his one-hour lecture begins at 7. The exhibit, which has been travelling through medical schools and libraries across America, combines the themes of art and… -
Changing the World
15 Nov 2009 | 9:01 pmBy Jim Selman | Bio In a recent New York Times op-ed column, Bob Herbert challenged all of us to get down out of the bleachers and take on at least one of today’s intractable problems. He pointed to the courage of many Civil Rights activists in the '60s and '70s, including Andrew Goodman who was murdered by the KKK and of course Rosa Parks. We remember these individuals and many like them because, like revolutionaries everywhere, they put their lives on the line for something worth dying for. They stood -
Elders and the Environment - Part 2
12 Nov 2009 | 9:01 pmBy Shae Hadden According to Dr. David Suzuki, “it is not progress to use up the rightful legacy of our children and grandchildren.” He opened the first Elders and the Environment Forum on Monday in Vancouver, Canada with a keynote address that focused on the role of elders in the environmental movement and how we can make a difference:
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W5 Blog
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Infographic of the Week
18 Nov 2009 | 12:09 pmAs we get ready to eat too much next week, many of us will travelling at some point. As you do, the following is a handy reference from Eating the Road. Tagged: brands, fast food, flowchart, food, infographic, travel -
Infographic of the Week
11 Nov 2009 | 2:29 pmIt may not look like much at first, but click through to play and learn with this great interactive infographic from the Genetic Science Learning Center at the University of Utah. From Coffee Bean to Carbon Atom. Tagged: academia, infographics, science, visualization -
Just sharing a funny old book cover…
11 Nov 2009 | 9:00 amTagged: analysis, books, data, quantitative -
Twitter Lists
3 Nov 2009 | 2:58 pmIn the last week, all Twitter users were given the Twitter List functionality. What are they? On the surface lists look like an extension of what Twitter already does, essentially giving the user more timelines. In reality, the simple add on has a lot of uses, including: The ability to de-clutter and organize those you’re following The ability to get updates without having to follow someone in your main stream A great way to see what others are doing and find new people In a sense, this move has made Twitter more useful and immediate. It gives the user the ability to switch views from… -
Long Live Halloween
30 Oct 2009 | 7:01 amHalloween in Chapel Hill has historically drawn huge crowds, sexy costumes, and drunken debauchery to Franklin Street. In 2007, nearly 80,000 people showed up to partake in the festivities. However, due to fears of crime, alcohol poising and gang-related violence, that number declined last year to 35,000. From the look of things, falling numbers threaten the Chapel Hill Halloween tradition again this year. The number of bodies on Franklin Street is not the only thing declining. According to MPR, Americans are expected to spend 15% less on Halloween than last year due to the poor economy.
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Holy Experience
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When You're Just a Tad Overwhelmed ....
19 Nov 2009 | 10:00 pmI'm standing at the counter, day seeping in without knocking, jotting down a list of the day's tasks, the work of a week, in my journal, and it's just a tad overwhelming and I am trying to remember just to breathe... And then I am fifteen, that summer I grip the handlebars of a Honda Goldwing, weave around margarine tubs set up as pylons in the backyard. Thread through four white Gay-lea markers, loop around the Manitoba Maple, slip through another four tubs, circle a knot of slender poplars, begin again on the far side, under the lilacs. Come the end of the day, my Dad would lean up against… -
Homeschool Routines and Rhythms
18 Nov 2009 | 9:30 pm`What sculpture is to a block of marble, education is to the soul.'-- Joseph AddisonYou learn to speak by speaking, to study by studying, to run by running, to work by working; and just so, you learn to love by loving. All those who think to learn in any other way deceive themselves. - Saint Francis de SalesAddendum: Another addition to Every Day Learning Links, links to online pages that update with new educational information daily. (HT: To kind reader, Debra (you folks are the best!):Glimpses of Christian History --Scroll to middle of the page for Today's story from Christian History… -
When Life Heats Up
17 Nov 2009 | 11:00 pmI've got the squash peeled, gutted, chopped, November's sun food, and water's bubbling in grandma's pressure cooker, the one with the decades old, hand-smoothed wooden handles, and I only need the weight, that thing-a-mo-bobber that will dance in the heat.And she not on the shelf by the stove where I tuck her away, or in the cutlery drawer -- or pot drawers -- or utensil drawer. And I call Levi from Latin chants, Levi always with knitting needles in hand, even now, Levi the dryer and returner of all things enamel, stainless and shiny.I ask almost without angst, "Have you seen the weight for… -
Symphony of the Seraphim
17 Nov 2009 | 8:08 am(with return of our internet server, I whisper)They were happy tears but he didn't know that, in from morning barn chores and those mama sows, finding me in front of the world's flickering screen.Those man hands stroke my hair and that always gentle whisper brushes my ear, "You sad?"And I shake my head and the words quaver, hardly knowing their way."My aunt once took me to Roy Thompson Hall. I must have been fifteen, this wide-eyed girl from the country, in the center of the arts and cosmopolitan Toronto. She had tickets to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra." I nod towards the screen."But this… -
The Real Joy Secret
16 Nov 2009 | 2:30 amIwake wanting to die. Scarlet light bleeds over the horizon, another day aching in. I lie in bed. Pull covers up over my head. I'm withered dry and even the tears won’t fall: a heart drought. .... continued...Read me over here today, please... (and for a giveaway for some furniture vases of your own) Would you like Holy Experience delivered to you quietly via email?...
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Blue Ocean Strategy | Gabor George Burt on Creating Blue Ocean Strategy
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All revved-up, Blue Ocean style
18 Nov 2009 | 8:00 pmWe’ve covered previously Blue Ocean Strategy-like models of inspiration from the auto industry, such as Koenigsegg and Tesla. And it seems that the latest entrant, Local Motors, is also set to defy the conventional wisdom of the auto industry. Enter John B. Rogers, the CEO of Local Motors, who is “trying to rethink, rather than overtake, the traditional auto industry.” His vision: To challenge the paradigm of highly centralized manufacturing, embattled dealerships, and dispersed service locations in order to produce newer, safer, more exciting, more efficient cars bought and… -
The courage to lead
17 Nov 2009 | 12:12 amIf you haven’t already stopped by Beyond Business, the companion blog to the newly published book Radical Action for Radical Times, you should definitely click on over to read Jonathan Hornby’s latest entry entitled “The courage to lead.” In his article, Jonathan questions why we continue to do things just because they have always been done a certain way — for example they’ve been handed down from generation to generation — yet few stop to question if the process is still the most efficient, or if it adds value. And, echoing what Gabor has said previously, Jonathan points… -
The Four Steps of Visualizing Strategy: Step Three — Visual Strategy Fair
15 Nov 2009 | 11:25 pmContinuing in our series which takes a closer look at the application steps for visualizing strategy, our focus advances to the third step — Visual Strategy Fair. Once featured, each step is made accessible through the Blue Ocean Strategy Basics archive. For the third step, we turn to page 90 of the book Blue Ocean Strategy (co-authored by Professor W. Chan Kim and Professor Renée Mauborgne), illustrating the experience of EFS (a European Financial Services Co.):After two weeks of drawing and redrawing [possible new strategies], the [internal] teams presented their strategy canvases at… -
Let’s get academic — Reader Responses
12 Nov 2009 | 1:57 amIn the September issue of Fast Company, Editor Robert Safian posed challenging questions about the state of higher education, and the best model for the future. Gabor’s proposed solution — printed in the November issue of Fast Company — would see universities using a portion of their endownment income to do away with tuition all together, and offer free attendance. His idea generated a flurry of supportive responses, the most dynamic of which we will share with our readers. From Brian Lynch of Lynchpyns:Just read your letter in the Nov 9 Fast Co issue - very salient points! I… -
Defying Conventional Wisdom: Sniff this Camembert!
11 Nov 2009 | 2:03 amBlue Ocean Strategy is all about challenging conventional wisdom — questioning taken-for-granted assumptions, and overstepping industry boundaries. It’s a frame of mind of continuously questioning and searching for a different angle and fresh perspective. You can draw inspiration from everyday life, and train your mind by having a discerning view of the world around you. Consider the following bit of comic insight as example of challenging conventional wisdom.Fashion magazines ought to feature peel-off sniff ads not only for perfumes, but for cheeses as well. In fact the two should be…
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The Bonsai Blog of Hans van Meer
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A flush of yellow.
20 Nov 2009 | 9:23 amHi everybody, yesterday, while stretching my legs a little in my garden, I was immediately drawn to the almost glowing image in the back garden. It was the yellow foliage on mine Larch (The Elephant) that was realy lit up by the last weak winter sun rays, just before it would completely disappears behind my house. So I quickly cleaned the aria around the pot and made this hand held picture. And just in time to! Because only half a hour of typical Dutch stormy weather later, most of these last memories of the warm Autumn sun ended up on the wet floor. Winter is here! And soon the image… -
BABY STEPS.
16 Nov 2009 | 8:24 amHi everybody, today I finally managed to do some light pruning work on one of my Hawthorns. Although I only managed to stand up like this for about 15 minutes, it still was nice to finally be able to do something! I hope that this is the first baby step to better times! Looking at this picture though, I do realize that my playing years are over ! Hans van Meer. —————————————————————————————————- -
SUDGE A SHAME.
6 Nov 2009 | 5:11 pmHi everybody, I wright this with a sad heart. Because tomorrow the next, by now legendary residential “BURRS” Bonsai weekend will start and I wound be there this time! My recovery after my back operation will take a lot longer than the 3 weeks I had hoped for! So about a week ago I had to tell my dear friend Tony Tickle, who organises this unique happening every year, that I would not be able to come and work with my, by now, dear Bonsai friends! Tony, being the good friend he is, was more worried about my health and understood completely that it would be irresponsible for… -
THE JOY OF BONSAI 2010.
3 Nov 2009 | 5:21 amHi everybody, I would like to bring your attention to a truly unique Bonsai event “The Joy of Bonsai 2010″. This Bonsai extravaganza will be again staged in the Bath pavilion in the truly beautiful city of Bath in the U.K. I am again very proud to be invited to be a part of the many international demonstrators that will show their magic during this 2 day Bonsai weekend. If you take a look at the flyer below you can see just how many talent will be there to watch and ask questions. Because at “The Joy of Bonsai” you can walk around every demonstrator, so you will… -
JUST TO LET YOU ALL KNOW..
30 Oct 2009 | 1:23 pmHi everybody, yes I am still here, dont worry! It now has been just over 2 weeks since I had my lower back surgery. I am still recovering and dont know yet if the operation has been successful, that might still take a wile. But I have good hopes and strong painkillers, so who is complaining. I am not able to get any real bonsai work don, YET! But I did managed to get a nice picture of one of my small Blackthorns with it’s last lovely yellow autumn color. Hope you like it? And as soon as I get some work don , I will let you all know! Cheers, Hans.
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Bonsai Bark Bonsai Blog
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Kakiemon’s Famous Old Bonsai Pot
19 Nov 2009 | 6:43 amThis exquisitely designed and rendered porcelain bonsai pot is by one of the Kakiemon line of potters. The article in Bonsai Today 44 doesn’t say which Kakiemon made it, but given the fame of the pot and the way it’s discussed in the article, you might assume it’s by the first Sakaida Kakiemon (17th century). It’s impossible to ascertain the size of the pot, as the dimensions given in the original article are almost certainly incorrect (the height is listed at 2.8″ – 7.2cm). Starting at the top I’ve spent the last two hours looking for good… -
Backyard Bonsai #5: Douglas Paul
17 Nov 2009 | 6:08 amThese shohin (mostly) bonsai are a small part of Doug Paul’s private collection (The Kennett Collection). They, along with numerous other bonsai (over 800 total) are in Doug’s greenhouse now, but they will move to his outdoor display area (see below) in the spring. The Kennett Collection and the NBF Douglas Paul is a new member of The Board of Directors of the National Bonsai Foundation, an organization created to sustain the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum in Washington DC. Doug is also the owner of The Kennett Collection, perhaps a little more than your typical backyard… -
The Manzanita Mystery
15 Nov 2009 | 5:11 pmThis Manzanita is growing on a granite ledge on a rise just before you drop down into Yosemite valley. The others shown below are from the same general area. All the photos were taken by Amy Palmer, during a Sierra hiking and tree identification trip that Amy and I just returned from. Pervasive, beautiful, and seemingly perfect for bonsai Whenever I go into the California Coast range or the Sierras, I’m struck by the Manzanitas. Not only are they eye catching in ways few plants are (the photos speak for themselves) but many appear to be near perfect for bonsai with squat trunks, small… -
Calendars: Avoid Confusion in 2010
12 Nov 2009 | 1:00 pmHere’s our 2010 bonsai calendar. Below is our Japanese garden calendar. You can find them at Stone Lantern. Enjoy world class bonsai while you keep track of the date Some of your have been getting your calendars from us for at least ten years, maybe longer. Might as well keep the tradition going; or start a new one. With our bonsai calendar, you’ll stay inspired and you won’t suffer the horrible confusion of not knowing what year it is, let alone what month and day. Ditto world class Japanese gardens -
$100 Contest: Seven Down, Three to Go
12 Nov 2009 | 9:48 amThe heavy trunk and flowers distinguish this pomegranate that was submitted by Jerry Norbury, though I think a shallower pot (preferably glazed) and a little thinning might improve it some. Let’s get this over with Three more entries and we can award one of you a $100 gift certificate to Stone Lantern. What are you waiting for? Details here.
